I had a nightmare today with PCL Travel. My plan was to catch the 10.15 am Alnwick to Rothbury 15 service and then the 11.00 am Rothbury to Morpeth via Scots gap service M1. The 15 arrived at Alnwick on time operated by Dart LG02FFR. I asked for a day ticket for £6.50, the driver had no idea that PCL sold day tickets. I explained that I had been on the M1 last weekend and the driver (PCL’s owner) had told me about the ticket. The driver still was unable to sell me a day ticket so instead gave me a return ticket for £6.00 which he agreed I could use all the way to Morpeth.

At Alnwick bus station the driver showed me some photos of Mr Cowell on his mobile and asked if that was the guy who told me about the £6.50 day ticket. I confirmed it him. Shortly after leaving Alnwick we had to stop in a layby due to a problem with the Dart’s gears. The driver was able to fix this after calling someone for help. I noted that the rear panel was still missing from the Dart’s interior as per Jimmi’s recent photo.

We then proceeded towards Rothbury, taking in the stunning view of the snow-capped Cheviots. The driver then stopped again in a small layby near Edlingham due to further problems with the bus. He again rang and asked for help. This shortly arrived in the form of sister Dart LG02FFP which was to operate the 11.00 am M1 service from Rothbury. I alighted from LG02FFR and was about get onto LG02FFP when they had a change of heart and decided to take LG02FFR to Morpeth.

So I got back onto LG02FFR expecting this to go Rothbury, it was 10.50 am and I guessed about 5 minutes delay in leaving Rothbury on the M1. Instead the driver took a left at the crossroads and headed to towards Longframlington. We then went straight to Morpeth via Longhorsley and Heighley Gate without picking anyone up. I hope no-one was waiting for the M1 at Rothbury or anywhere along the advertised route via Netherwitton, Scots Gap and Mitford. We arrived in Morpeth at 11.35.

The two drivers were polite, approachable and smartly dressed. However after experiencing the above I have serious doubts about PCL. I do not think I will use their services again. It is a real shame as the M1 could be a really useful and popular service.

A rather miffed…Charles